N JU A O S ST N D IN AN $1 GL N ,0 E S O 00 U UN A PPL CE IR E D CR ME : ED NT IT !

October 4 - 18, 2016 | 15 Days | Aboard the Island Sky Odessa

U K RAI N E

Expedition Highlights

ROMANIA

• Visit Istanbul’s top sites including Topkapi Palace, Hagia Sophia, and the 17th-century Blue Mosque.

R US S I A

Histria DANUBE RIVER DELTA

Sochi

Varna

BLACK SEA

BU LG AR IA

GEORGIA

Sinop

Batumi

Bartin Safranbolu

• Enjoy an energetic performance of traditional dances in Georgia while sampling local wines. • Explore the grand city of Odessa, with splendid examples of elegant 18th- and 19th-century architecture, including a tour of the magnificent Opera House.

Trabzon Sumela

TU RK E Y

• Cruise through the winding canals of the Danube River Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve, as we search for over 200 species of birds. • Wander through a wealth of well- preserved Ottoman architecture in Safranbolu.

© Allan Langdale

BOSPORUS

Istanbul

© Allan Langdale

Constanta

• Itinerary..................................... page 2 > • Flight Information ....................... page 3 > • Ship, Deck Plan & Rates ............. page 4 > • Featured Leaders........................ page 5 > • Know Before You Go.................. page 5 >

© Allan Langdale

Itinerary

lunch in a converted Ottoman caravanserai, with free time to explore on your own before returning to the ship in Bartin.

Based on the expeditionary nature of our trips, there may be ongoing enhancements to this itinerary.

Saturday, October 8

Tuesday, October 4, 2016 DEPART USA

Board your overnight flight to Istanbul.

Wednesday, October 5 ISTANBUL, TURKEY

Arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our hotel. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure before our welcome dinner and briefing.

Thursday, October 6 ISTANBUL / EMBARK ISLAND SKY

After breakfast set out to explore the heart of Istanbul’s historic Sultanahmet District, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the 17th-century Blue Mosque and continue to the beautiful Hagia Sophia. Alternatively, visit the Byzantine Church of the Holy Savior of Chora, the beautiful Rustem Pasha Mosque, and the colorful Spice Bazaar. After lunch explore opulent Topkapi Palace, which served as the chief residence of Ottoman sultans for nearly 400 years. In the late afternoon we board the Island Sky and cruise toward the Black Sea up the scenic Bosporus, a strait which runs through the center of Istanbul and forms part of the boundary between Europe and Asia.

Friday, October 7 BARTIN / SAFRANBOLU

From the port at Bartin, travel inland to Safranbolu, a World Heritage Site. Once an important center of saffron production and stopover for Silk Road caravans, Safranbolu boasts a wealth of well-preserved Ottoman architecture. A walking tour visits the marketplace as well as a mosque, traditional house, and Turkish hammam that date back to the 16th century. Enjoy

SINOP

Sinop has been continuously occupied since the 7th century BC. Tour the ancient fortress walls; the small archaeological museum, with fascinating artifacts spanning the centuries; and the 11th-century Alaaddin Mosque. After lunch there is free time to explore on your own.

Sunday, October 9 TRABZON / SUMELA

Ancient Greeks settled in Trabzon along a branch of the Silk Road from Asia. A highlight of our visit is a morning drive in the countryside to see the 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine Sumela Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliff face in the monastic tradition of Greek Orthodox architecture. Detailed frescoes, etched in brilliant blues, reds, and golds cover the interior. This stunning alpine setting is also a national park. This afternoon we explore the 13th-century Hagia Sophia, a Byzantine church with exquisite frescoes, and spend some free time wandering through the modern city of Trabzon.

Monday, October 10 BATUMI, GEORGIA

Today the ship docks in the charming port of Batumi. Visit the colorful farmers market and take a relaxing walk through the lovely Botanical Gardens. After lunch on board, take a short drive to the ruins of ancient Gonio Fortress, which dates back to the first century AD. Return to Batumi for a dinner of regional delicacies and Georgian wines at a local restaurant, accompanied by a fantastic folk performance of traditional music and energetic dances.

Tuesday, October 11 SOCHI, RUSSIA

This Russian mineral-spring resort community with a subtropical climate is sometimes called the Russian Riviera. This

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA

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morning we explore the town with a special visit to Stalin’s dacha. Well-hidden among trees on the outskirts of town, this house was a favorite summer retreat for the infamous leader.

Wednesday, October 12 AT SEA

Attend lectures today and enjoy the passing scenery during a relaxing day at sea.

Sunday, October 16 HISTRIA / CONSTANTA

Histria was Romania’s earliest-founded city and flourished as an extraordinary trading center, later to be abandoned and swallowed by alluvial deposits and sand. The site has been under excavation since its rediscovery in 1914. We walk through fascinating seaside ruins, tour the new museum, and spot birds in this wetland environment. Next we explore Constanta where we tour the archaeological museum and view one of the largest Roman mosaic floors in Europe. In the late afternoon, we enjoy wine tasting and a cultural performance on board.

Thursday, October 13 ODESSA, UKRAINE

Odessa’s European-Russian heritage is evident as we ascend the Potemkin Steps to explore cobblestone streets lined with shady plane trees. Explore the compact central district’s spectacular architecture, including monuments, statuary, parks, and ornate 19th-century gems such as the Opera House and Gagarin’s Palace. We also visit one of the country’s oldest archaeological museums, housing an extensive collection of Ukrainian artifacts ranging from the Paleolithic age to the medieval period. Enjoy free time this afternoon to stroll the graceful boulevards, with the option to dine ashore on your own.

Monday, October 17

Friday & Saturday, October 14 & 15

Tuesday, October 18

VARNA, BULGARIA

The modern port city of Varna was once the Greek colony known as Odessos. We disembark in the morning and visit Varna’s archaeological museum that chronologically traces the progress of human society in the region over the course of millennia, and includes the oldest worked gold in the world. We also explore the extensive remains of the 2nd-century Roman thermae, or public baths, which make up the largest Roman ruins in Bulgaria. Reboard the ship for lunch as we sail toward Turkey.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY / DISEMBARK / USA

DANUBE RIVER DELTA, ROMANIA

Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the airport for homeward flights.

Flight Information You may use the $1,000 per person air credit* to purchase air fare from your home city/Istanbul and Istanbul/home city. Please contact our in-house Air Department for fare quotes, reservations, or other air-related questions.

© Brent Stephenson

The Danube is Europe’s second longest river as well as a World Heritage Site and Biosphere Reserve. During two full days, discover a wealth of natural and cultural wonders. Take a walking tour of the small port of Tulcea and visit the Danube Canal Museum and Danube Ecologic Museum. The next day, board a local boat to explore this wetland habitat looking for over 200 species of birds, including pygmy cormorants, purple herons, white-tailed eagles, and Dalmatian pelicans. On board, sample local vodka and Romanian snacks.

ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA

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The Island Sky

Deck Plan P R I VAT E B A L C O N I E S

The all-suite Island Sky is a spacious 100-guest expedition vessel. Public spaces include a large lounge, elegant bar with piano, library, a single-seating dining room, and a rear sun deck where meals are served in pleasant weather. All suites have an ocean view and feature a sitting room, en suite bathroom, flat-screen television, spacious wardrobes, and dressing table. Visit www.zegrahm.com/island-sky for more information on this ship.

Rates CATEGORY 1

$12,980

CATEGORY 3

$14,980

CATEGORY 5

$16,780

CATEGORY 2

$13,980

CATEGORY 4

$15,680

CATEGORY 6

$18,880

No Single Supplement on this voyage! Solo travelers pay the double occupancy rate.

INCLUDED: • Daily activity options including Zodiac cruises, nature walks, and cultural tours • All gratuities • All accommodations • World-class lecture and expedition team • All onboard meals and group meals ashore, including soft drinks, beer, and wine with lunch and dinner • All entrance fees, taxes, and landing and port charges • Arrival and departure transfers on group dates • Gift certificates for recommended expedition gear and reading materials • Medical expense coverage and emergency evacuation insurance

NOT INCLUDED: • Airfare from your home city/Istanbul and Istanbul/home city • Excess baggage charges • Airport arrival and departure taxes • Transfers for independent arrivals and departures • Passport and/or visa fees • Travel insurance • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, alcoholic beverages, (other than listed at left), and other incidentals • Email/Internet/fax/telephone charges

*Air credit of up to $1,000 per person is applicable to new bookings (as of July 1, 2015) only and subject to availability at time of booking. Air must be booked and ticketed through Zegrahm Expeditions. Air credit is not combinable with any other offer except group and refer & reward. A 25% per person deposit will secure your space on this expedition. All rates are per person, based on double occupancy, quoted in US dollars, and must be paid in US dollars. Rates and itineraries are subject to change. Please review our Terms & Conditions online at www.zegrahm.com/terms, or call our office for a printed copy. ZEGRAHM EXPEDITIONS | CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF THE BLACK SEA

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Featured Leaders Experts from additional fields of study will join the leaders featured below. Visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea to read full leader biographies. LIA OPREA (EXPEDITION LEADER) –

Part Romanian, Lia gives credit to her Gypsy heritage for her peripatetic nature and love of exploration. This love led her to travel widely around the globe and, quite naturally, to a career in adventure travel, a trade she has plied for more than a dozen years. This is one of Lia’s favorite destinations—she has led this popular itinerary 20 times, including our inaugural Black Sea voyage in 2004.

© Allan Langdale

ALLAN LANGDALE – Raised on Vancouver Island, Allan earned a doctorate degree in art history from the University of California at Santa Barbara and has taught in the University of California system for more than 12 years. His specialties include Italian Renaissance art and architecture, medieval art, and Byzantine art. He has published a number of works of travel photography and has recently completed a picture book of the historical architecture of northern Cyprus.

Know Before You Go For most activities, a relatively moderate level of exertion is required. You must be able to walk distances of one to three miles, unaided, over sometimes uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones, and climb stone steps that at times may not have handrails. Opportunities will also be available for optional hikes requiring more exertion.

800.628.8747 | 206.285.4000 | FAX 206.285.5037 3131 Elliott Avenue | Suite 250 | Seattle, WA 98121 www.zegrahm.com | [email protected]

To reserve, visit www.zegrahm.com/black-sea or contact your travel consultant.

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